Category Archives: Driving

Community/Charity, Driving, JRPR, Products/Services

Ariat International Joins Combined Driver Chester Weber’s Team of Sponsors

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Chester Weber is pleased to welcome Ariat International, the leading performance footwear and apparel brand for equestrian athletes around the world, to Team Weber’s list of sponsors. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (July 22, 2011) – Team Weber is currently in Europe representing the United States in the world of combined driving. As the United States’ most decorated team brings their award-winning prowess to the international stage, they will be proudly decked out in Ariat clothing. Ariat International, the leading performance footwear and apparel brand for equestrian athletes around the world, is pleased to announce they are joining combined driver Chester Weber’s team of sponsors.

“The quality and fit of the Ariat products are perfect for us,” said Weber. “We wore shirts, vests, jackets and hats from Ariat for the last championships and really liked them. We train in all-weather situations and their clothing is perfect for that.”

Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion who is based out of Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, is a driving force in the world of combined driving.  He recently proved to be unstoppable overseas, where he went two-for-two by capturing wins at CAI Altenfelden in Austria and the CAIO Vecses in Hungary.  His European tour then continued with the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany, where Team Weber put in a brilliant performance, placing third overall.  After such success in Europe, Weber is currently tied for first place in the FEI World Cup standings.  The European tour wraps up with the CAI Riesenbeck in July, a venue in which he has already found great success.

Weber has competed for the U.S. in three World Equestrian Games and was part of the U.S. Silver Medal Team at the 2010 Games in Kentucky. Weber also earned an Individual Silver Medal in the Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships in Beesd, The Netherlands, making him the first American to ever win an Individual Medal at the World Driving Championships.

Continue reading Ariat International Joins Combined Driver Chester Weber’s Team of Sponsors →

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, JRPR

Top American Four-In-Hand Driver Chester Weber Puts In Brilliant Performance at 2011 CHIO Aachen and Ties for First in FEI World Cup Standings

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Chester Weber, with the new additions of Uniek and Splash owned by Jane Clark, put in a brilliant performance at the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO at Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Franz Steindl)

Aachen, Germany (June 20, 2011) – American Four-In-Hand Combined Driver Chester Weber put in a brilliant performance at the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, earning the highest results of his career at Aachen with a win in Dressage and finishing in the third place in the individual standings. Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, is now tied for first place in the standings for the FEI World Cup qualifications after 9 of 14 competitions.

Following his victory at the prestigious CHIO Aachen, Weber, the 2008 World Champion silver medalist, wrote on his Facebook page to thank and update his many fans in the United States. “Thanks to everyone for the support. We had our best results at Aachen ever. One first, two seconds, one fifth and one seventh place finish. In the combination we ended third!”

Weber, who competed as an individual for the United States, made headlines across the globe during his second dressage test, when he piloted Para, Senate and Jane Clark’s Splash and Uniek to a first place victory with a total score of 34.69. Exell earned a 37.12 in the second dressage test to place second. While Weber had two canter mistakes in the dressage test, he kept his cool and persevered to win. “When I made the mistakes I said to myself ‘bring them back and just go again’ and it went well from there,” he said.

During his winning dressage test, Weber scored an impressive 193, 203, 194, 196 and 193 from the judges. His dressage score helped him win the Prize of Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG. “This was the first time I scored under 40 penalty points with my two new leader horses and I am very pleased with that,” Weber said. Ed Young, the United States Driving Chef d’Equipe, said Weber drove a wonderful test and described it as “beautiful.”

Continue reading Top American Four-In-Hand Driver Chester Weber Puts In Brilliant Performance at 2011 CHIO Aachen and Ties for First in FEI World Cup Standings →

Driving, Media/Radio/TV Sources

The Driving Radio Show Pulls into the Stables on the Horse Radio Network

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Lexington, Kentucky, USA. July 18, 2011:  The Horse Radio Network (HRN) has launched its second new show this month, the Driving Radio Show, which is the first radio show of its kind to take a look at the world of carriage driving.  From competition to recreational driving, the Driving Radio Show will cover all aspects of the sport. This weekly podcast is hosted by Four-in-Hand driver Dr. Wendy Ying and Glenn the Geek, HRN founder, and can be heard online at www.drivingradioshow.com, www.americandrivingsociety.com, or www.drivingnews.us.  It is also available as a free podcast on iTunes.

The first episode is live and features part one of a fascinating interview with David Saunders, former Coachman at the Royal Mews in London for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, competitive driver and all around great horseman. Plus, a competition report from Driving News, an update from the American Driving Society, and Dr. Ying’s first look at Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Five Elements.

“Being a recreational driver for twenty years I am thrilled to have a Driving Radio Show in the stable of shows on HRN.  I am very excited to be working with Dr. Wendy Ying, who is great fun and highly regarded throughout the world driving,” says Glenn the Geek, who founded HRN three years ago.  “If you are at all interested in driving, then this show is for you.”

Continue reading The Driving Radio Show Pulls into the Stables on the Horse Radio Network →

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, USEF

Peters and Ravel Take Second in Grand Prix Freestyle; Ward and Rothchild Win Yageo Prize at Aachen CHIO

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Steffen Peters and Ravel Sunday at CHIO Aachen. Photo: Ken Braddick/ dressage-news.com.

Aachen, Germany – Team USA wrapped up the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany, with more strong performances, including a second-place finish for Steffen Peters and Ravel in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO and a win for show jumper McLain Ward on Rothchild.

Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazki and Four Winds Farm, stepped up their game today and gave the best dressage horse in the world a run for his money in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO for the Deutsche Bank Prize.

The judges gave Ravel and Peters technical scores of 77.25, 77.00, 80.50, 80.50, and 76.75, along with artistic scores of 86.00, 83.00, 83.00, 89.00, and 87.00 for an overall 82.000% – just .825% off the winning score set by Matthias Rath of Germany and Totilas.

According to Dressage-news.com, Peters said, “It felt fantastic. I’m still searching for words to describe it. The icing on the cake was the reaction of the crowd. That was a huge honor. I finished fifth in the Grand Prix and the Special, so to come within fractions of Totilas and Parzival in the freestyle is amazing.”

Continue reading Peters and Ravel Take Second in Grand Prix Freestyle; Ward and Rothchild Win Yageo Prize at Aachen CHIO →

Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI

Exell Continues Success Story in Aachen

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Four times Aachen winner Boyd Exell continued his success story at Aachen © FEI/Rinaldo de Craen.

Aachen (GER), 17 July 2011 – Top driver Boyd Exell (AUS) has continued his amazing success story in Aachen. Crowned World Champion at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky last year and winner of the FEI World Cup Driving Final for the third consecutive time in Leipzig in April this year, the Australian has won this year’s prestigious CAIO Aachen for the fourth time in his career. Boyd first won Aachen in 2003 and was unbeatable in 2009, 2010 and now in 2011.

Five competitions
The CAIO in Aachen consisted of five competitions for all drivers this year; the first dressage test (FEI Test 8a) counted for the individual classification, the second dressage test (FEI test 6a) counted for the team classification and was also compulsory for individual drivers like Boyd Exell and Chester Weber (USA). The first cones competition counted for the individual classification, the marathon counted for both the individual and the teams and today’s final cones competition counted for the teams and was again compulsory for the individuals.

First dressage
Boyd Exell had a head start in the first dressage test, which was driven in the pouring rain in the Aachen driving stadium on Wednesday. Boyd drove his team of black geldings owned by Támas Vincze from Hungary to a winning score of 35.97 penalty points. After a great start, Exell’s left wheeler horse became very excited during the latter part of the test, but this did not prevent Exell from getting the best score of the day. First into the arena, Chester Weber the USA put down a very solid test with his two new leader horses Splash and Uniek.

Continue reading Exell Continues Success Story in Aachen →

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, USEF

Laura Kraut Victorious in Sparkassen-Youngsters Cup, Steffen Peters Continues to Win, and Chester Weber Drives to Third Overall at CHIO Aachen

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Laura Kraut on Teirra during the Warsteiner jumping competition at 2011 CHIO Aachen. Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images.

Aachen, Germany – Another American victory came Saturday at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany. Show jumper Laura Kraut rode Woodstock O, owned by Joan Kalman and The Freedom Group, to the win in the Sparkassen-Youngsters Cup. They were also awarded with the overall special prize for the best rider/horse of the three Youngsters Cup competitions.

Kraut and Woodstock O have consistently been in the ribbons this week in the Youngsters Cup, with clear rounds in the previous two speed classes. “I don’t think he rubbed a fence the whole time. I didn’t go fast the first two days, even though they were speed classes, because it doesn’t really matter. The goal is to qualify for the final and save yourself for the last class,” Kraut explained.

They did just that, as Woodstock O, an 8-year-old KWPN gelding, was clear through two rounds today and the fastest in the jump-off to take home the top prize over Philipp Weishaupt (GER) on Urmel 86 and Lars Nieberg (GER) with Coco Mademoiselle.

Kraut said, “We jumped the first round at 9:15 this morning and we didn’t have the jump-off until 2:15 in the afternoon. This morning he was actually quite fresh and strong. He was sort of a handful to ride around, but he jumped brilliantly. By the afternoon, he settled down and he was so good in the jump-off. It was his type of course with a lot of galloping. Even though he’s small, his stride is very big. He did everything he was supposed to do.”

Continue reading Laura Kraut Victorious in Sparkassen-Youngsters Cup, Steffen Peters Continues to Win, and Chester Weber Drives to Third Overall at CHIO Aachen →

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping, USEF

Chester Weber and Four-In-Hand Team Capture First Place in Driving Phase at Aachen CHIO

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Aachen, Germany – Team USA notched another win today at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany. Chester Weber and his four-in-hand team won the second dressage test in driving.

Weber handled the reins of Jane Clark’s team – Para, Senate, Splash, and Uniek – in the dressage test, which was a rating competition for team classification. Weber competed as an individual for the United States, and he was given scores of 193, 203, 194, 196, and 193 from the judges. He and his team received a total score of 34.69 for victory and the Prize of Martello Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG.

“It was spectacular,” said Ed Young, U.S. Driving Chef d’Equipe. “He drove a wonderful test. It really was flawless, and it went beautifully.”

Weber will compete tomorrow in the obstacles phase.

Continue reading Chester Weber and Four-In-Hand Team Capture First Place in Driving Phase at Aachen CHIO →

Auctions, Community/Charity, Driving, FEI, JRPR

Bid on Fantastic Items in eBay Auction to Help Champion Driver Suzy Stafford Make It to the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships

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Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine. (Photo courtesy of Pics of You)

Chester County, PA (July 12, 2011) – World Champion driver Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine, but before Stafford and Josie head to Slovenia the determined driver still has a great deal of work to do. Part of that work includes raising funds for the trip, so Stafford will be hosting an eBay auction beginning Friday, July 15th, featuring a variety of fabulous items both equestrian and non-equestrian.

All proceeds from the auction will go toward funding Stafford and Josie’s World Championship trip to Slovenia.  ”I am really excited that people will have the chance to bid on so many great items, from a week’s vacation in Maine to many, many equestrian related items,” Stafford said, adding that she wants to thank her many supporters who donated items to the auction. “I am truly grateful to all my supporters! I would like to thank all the donors of these wonderful items for their on-going support and generosity including Dover Saddlery, Shawn Faust, Jim Graham, Hidden Valley Acres, Bit of Britain, Beth and Dan Steinke, Chester Weber, Dansko, Unionville Feed, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Vita Flex, Unionville Saddlery, Fridays’s Horse, Jewelry by Moolenschot, Equine Journal, Larry Poulin, Stoltzfus Farm Service, Inc., and Harness by Smucker.”

Some of the items in Stafford’s eBay auction include: a one-week vacation waterfront rental house in Maine; a personal brewery tour and tasting by the owner/brewer of Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton, Pennsylvania; a new deluxe Black with Brass Harness by Smucker; a “signed” Breyer Model of Jamaica, Chester Weber’s Horse of the Year; a “signed” Breyer model of Stafford’s Gold Medal driving pony Cefnopark Bouncer; a new Charles Owen Helmet; a “signed” print from Delaware artist Shawn Faust; a one-hour photography lesson with nationally recognized photo journalist Jim Graham; training with Bronze and Silver Medal Dressage rider and trainer Stacey Parvey-Larrson; a pair of Dansko shoes of your choice; and a new bridle.

Continue reading Bid on Fantastic Items in eBay Auction to Help Champion Driver Suzy Stafford Make It to the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships →

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy

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Laurent Beauvais, Chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Dr Pearse Lyons, President of Alltech, celebrating the announcement of Alltech as the title sponsor of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games - Normandy © MC Chantrait

Lausanne (SUI), 8 July 2011 – Laurent Beauvais, chairman of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council and Normandy 2014 Organising Committee, and Alltech president Dr Pearse Lyons today announced that Alltech will be the title sponsor of the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

The agreement represents an historic partnership in the world of equestrian sports with a commitment from Alltech to the value of EUR 10 million. The seventh edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games will officially be known as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Normandy 2014.

“Alltech is proud to continue our partnership with the World Equestrian Games,” said Alltech President and Founder, Dr Pearse Lyons.

“These world championships of equestrian sport epitomise the values that we applaud; passion, excellence and performance. When the eyes of the world tune in to watch the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, we will be there. France and Normandy in particular, with its worldwide reputation of excellence in horse breeding, is a strategic location for our company. Alltech has a long-standing history of serving the agricultural community in France and we are thrilled to support the event in Normandy and to share in the pride of this spectacular event.”

“The FEI is delighted by the renewal of Alltech’s title sponsorship of the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games,” said FEI Secretary General Ingmar de Vos. “We are proud of the Games’ enduring appeal and are looking forward to an unforgettable seventh edition organised by Normandy 2014’s professional team and supported by an outstanding title sponsor such as Alltech.”

Continue reading Alltech Signs Up as Title Sponsor for the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy →

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Community/Charity, Driving, FEI, JRPR

Half-Arabian Goes from Leadline to World Headlines

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Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia with her half-Arabian pony Miss Josephine. (Photo courtesy of Pics Of You)

Chester County, PA (July 8, 2011) – Gold medalist Suzy Stafford’s registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine may be long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia, but the 14-hand FEI mare’s career has also included much “smaller” competitions. Those competitions include being a patient and wonderful leadline mount for children.

“Josie has an amazing heart and loves a challenge, which is what makes her a fantastic international competitor,” Stafford said. “But like most Arabians, she is very sweet and being a child’s leadline mount also suited her. In addition to being a leadline mount, Josie was part of a driving pair before I bought her. I do think going from a leadline mount to a world champion competitor is pretty remarkable.”

Stafford also thinks it is remarkable that Josie will be the first registered Arabian to compete in the World Pony Driving Championships for the United States. “Arabians are a very versatile breed and they really can excel in any discipline,” Stafford said. “Arabians are a great mount for children and adults. Even though Josie has the ability to win in the leadline division with a small child, she also has the ability to become an award-winning FEI World Driving Pony Champion. As one of the oldest and most popular breeds in the United States, the Arabian is known for having boundless energy, great intellect and a gentle disposition and that is a great description of Josie.”

Stafford and Josie became partners in September of 2010, and the pair has already proven they have the drive to win. Stafford and Josie won the Reserve National Single Pony Championships at Live Oak International earlier this year and as the most consistent competitors in three selection trials held in Florida, the pair also drove away as the winners of the Triple Crown of Driving sponsored by Live Oak International, the Sunshine State CDE and Little Everglades CDE.

Continue reading Half-Arabian Goes from Leadline to World Headlines →